Getting care while staying independent in assisted living

Posted: 09/12/2022

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When Marion and Fritz Carlson moved to Ridge View Estates Assisted Living at Good Samaritan Society – Pipestone in Minnesota, the couple moved even closer to old friends.

“Always come here to get my clothes,” Marion says walking into The Clothier by Dawn in downtown Pipestone.

From a retail therapy perspective, it’s been a huge upgrade for Marion’s quality of life. She and her husband used to live east of town in Lake Wilson.

“It has been in this case, that’s for sure,” Marion says about being a few blocks away from the shop she has frequented for decades.

Society assisted living manager Melissa McCorquodale says residents often share with her they should have come to the location sooner.

“I think there’s a stigma that assisted living is a place you go and never leave. Definitely not the case. It’s a place to come here and just kind of live that maintenance-free lifestyle. Whether you need just a little bit of care, very minimal, to a more extensive amount,” McCorquodale says.

‘I would consider it a blessing’

In the case of the Carlsons, Fritz, 86, has Alzheimer’s. Marion needed some help looking after him.

The 83-year-old says the idea was to “make a move before it was too late.”